Lyon Travel Guide

Lyon is the third largest city in France and is located 431km (268 miles) southeast of Paris and 311km (193 miles) north of Marseille. It is the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region and the second largest contributor to the French economy after Paris. It has a population of 413 000 inhabitants.

Lyon is between two hills, the Fourvière and Croix-Rousse and between two rivers: the turbulent Rhône and the tranquil Saône. Lyon is a very industrial city, textile manufacturing is one of the most important here. But not only that, this city is known as the capital of gastronomy, like Paris, this city has the largest number of Michelin-star restaurants. The most famous chef, Paul Bocuse, has his restaurant in Lyon.

Lyon has been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site since December 1998, specifically the Saint-Jean and the Croix-Rousse areas. This is a very beautiful part of the city with its architectural renaissance buildings and monuments.

Lyon is also called the 'city of light' because of its history which began on Fourvière Hill, when the city was under the Romans. The city was proclaimed capital of the three Gauls and it was during this period that Lyon developed in economic, politic, religious and military terms.

The tradition of the city of Lights or 'Lugdunum' (as called by the Romans) is still present and every evening more than 100 sites across the city are lit up to show the splendour of Lyon’s architecture.